Despite the slowing global economy, Virgin Atlantic has confirmed it is to increase its long-haul leisure offering in 2009.

New flights will be added from Manchester to Barbados and Orlando, the airline has confirmed.

The carrier will be increasing the frequency the Caribbean destination to two flights a week with Saturday flights between May 2nd and November 7th next year adding to existing Sunday Airbus A340 departures.

In addition there will also be a Sunday departure between Manchester and Orlando, which will operate between April 26th and November 8th, using a Boeing 747-400.

Finally, a third weekly service between Gatwick and the Jamaican airport of Montego Bay is scheduled for departure during the winter of 2009/10.

This follows the successful introduction of a second flight this winter.

Chris O’Toole